Noise-Reducing Muffs and Oxygen Hoods Keep Pets Healthy at Altitude

Dog owners, especially those who hadn’t realized quite how loud a pair of F-22s can be, were likely pretty happy to run into 4 Paws Aviation at AirVenture. While K-9 ear muffs were their most airshow-related product, 4 Paws also offers oxygen hoods, doggles, and thundershirts to make pups’ flight experiences more comfortable.

The Indiana-based company has been quietly making pet-safe aviation gear since 2008, when owners Kent and Lori Carter realized their Brussels Griffons were showing signs of hypoxia after long flights. Their concern led them to design the oxygen hood, addressing a surprising gap in the market: no one was offering a safe, effective oxygen delivery system for dogs flying above 8,000 feet.

So, after three years of research (and a lot of vet consultations), the Carters developed a constant-flow system tailored for dogs. Testing showed that pets’ blood oxygen levels drop significantly above 10,000 feet, especially for short-nosed breeds. Their system stabilizes oxygen saturation to the mid-to-upper 90s—helping dogs arrive more alert and less disoriented.

The company also sells K-9 ear muffs with aircraft-grade foam and gel inserts that mold to a dog’s head (or cat’s, if you’re brave enough). Unlike other plastic-heavy options, these use soft, non-toxic nylon and a webbed strap that won’t tangle fur. Third-party tests claim they reduce noise by up to 41 dB—double the effectiveness of some other brands. They're offered in black, white, pink, and tan.

Also available are calming “Thundershirts” for nervous flyers, which are essentially snug vests that apply gentle pressure to reduce anxiety during takeoff, turbulence, or fireworks shows over the lake at OSH.

As more pet-loving GA pilots bring their pets along on cross-country trips or to the flightline of the world’s biggest airshow, gear like this fills a real need.

FMI: www.4pawsaviation.com